-LRB- CNN -RRB- Arsenal kept their slim hopes of winning this season 's English Premier League title alive by beating relegation threatened Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor .

A first half goal from Welsh international Aaron Ramsey was enough to separate the two sides and secure Arsenal 's hold on second place .

More importantly it took the north London club to within four points of first placed Chelsea , with the two clubs to play next week .

But Chelsea have two games in hand and play lowly Queens Park Rangers on Sunday , a team who are themselves struggling against relegation .

Good form

Arsenal have been in superb form since the start of the year , transforming what looked to be another mediocre season struggling to secure fourth place -- and with it Champions League qualification -- into one where they at least have a shot at winning the title .

After going ahead , Arsenal rarely looked in any danger of conceding , showing more of the midfield pragmatism epitomized by the likes of Francis Coquelin , who also played a crucial role in the goal .

`` He has been absolutely consistent in the quality of his defensive work , '' Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger told Sky Sports after the game when asked about Coquelin 's contribution to Arsenal 's current run .

They have won eight games in a row since introducing the previously overlooked young Frenchman into a more defensive midfield position .

`` He was a player who was with us for seven years , from 17 , he 's now just 24 , '' Wenger explained .

`` Sometimes you have to be patient . I am very happy for him because he has shown great mental strength . ''

Now all eyes will be on next week 's clash between Arsenal and Chelsea which will likely decide the title .

`` They have the games in hand , '' said Wenger , playing down his club 's title aspirations .

`` But we 'll keep going and that 's why the win was so important for us today . ''

Relegation dogfight

Meanwhile it was a good day for teams at the bottom of the league .

Aston Villa continued their good form since appointing coach Tim Sherwood with a 1-0 victory over Tottenham , who fired Sherwood last season .

Belgian international Christian Benteke scored the only goal of the game , his eighth in six matches , to secure a vital three points to give the Midlands club breathing space .

Another Midlands club looking over their shoulder is West Brom , who conceded an injury time goal to lose 3-2 against bottom club Leicester City .

But it was an awful day for Sunderland 's former Dutch international coach Dick Advocaat , who saw his team lose 4-1 at home against form team Crystal Palace .

Democratic Republic of Congo international Yannick Bolasie scored Crystal Palace 's first ever hat trick in the Premier League to secure an easy victory .

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Arsenal beat Burnley 1-0 in the EPL

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A goal from Aaron Ramsey secured all three points

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Win cuts Chelsea 's EPL lead to four points